Camera control print medium

ABSTRACT

A camera control card designed for use with a digital camera and a number of image manipulation cards. The digital camera has a card reader, an image sensor designed to capture an original image, and a controllable image manipulator designed to manipulate the original image to form a manipulated image. The image manipulation cards each have a surface with at least one encoded image manipulation instruction on it. The camera control card has a surface with at least one encoded camera control instruction on it. The camera control instruction is designed to be readable by the card reader in the digital camera. The camera control instruction is also designed, when read by the card reader, to cause the controllable image manipulator to perform at least one operation in relation to the image manipulation cards when the image manipulation cards are subsequently read by the card reader.

[0001] This is a continuation application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/112,790 filed Jul. 10, 1998

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] The following Australian provisional patent applications arehereby incorporated by reference. For the purposes of location andidentification, U.S. patents/patent applications identified by theirU.S. patent/patent application Ser. Nos. are listed alongside theAustralian applications from which the U.S. patents/patent applicationsclaim the right of priority. US PATENT/PATENT CROSS-REFERENCEDAPPLICATION AUSTRALIAN (CLAIMING RIGHT OF PROVISIONAL PRIORITY FROMPATENT AUSTRALIAN PROVISIONAL DOCKET APPLICATION NO. APPLICATION) NO.PO7991 09/113,060  ART01 PO8505 6,476,863 ART02 PO7988 09/113,073  ART03PO9395 6,322,181 ART04 PO8017 09/112,747  ART06 PO8014 6,227,648 ART07PO8025 09/112,750  ART08 PO8032 09/112,746  ART09 PO7999 09/112,743 ART10 PO7998 09/112,742  ART11 PO8031 09/112,741  ART12 PO8030 6,196,541ART13 PO7997 6,195,150 ART15 PO7979 6,362,868 ART16 PO8015 09/112,738 ART17 PO7978 09/113,067  ART18 PO7982 6,431,669 ART19 PO7989 6,362,869ART20 PO8019 6,472,052 ART21 PO7980 6,356,715 ART22 PO8018 09/112,777 ART24 PO7938 09/113,224  ART25 PO8016 6,366,693 ART26 PO8024 6,329,990ART27 PO7940 09/113,072  ART28 PO7939 6,459,495 ART29 PO8501 6,137,500ART30 PO8500 09/112,796  ART31 PO7987 09/113,071  ART32 PO8022 6,398,328ART33 PO8497 09/113,090  ART34 PO8020 6,431,704 ART38 PO8023 09/113,222 ART39 PO8504 09/112,786  ART42 PO8000 6,415,054 ART43 PO7977 09/112,782 ART44 PO7934 09/113,056  ART45 PO7990 09/113,059  ART46 PO8499 6,486,886ART47 PO8502 6,381,361 ART48 PO7981 6,317,192 ART50 PO7986 09/113,057 ART51 PO7983 09/113,054  ART52 PO8026 09/112,752  ART53 PO802709/112,759  ART54 PO8028 09/112,757  ART56 PO9394 6,357,135 ART57 PO939609/113,107  ART58 PO9397 6,271,931 ART59 PO9398 6,353,772 ART60 PO93996,106,147 ART61 PO9400 09/112,790  ART62 PO9401 6,304,291 ART63 PO940209/112,788  ART64 PO9403 6,305,770 ART65 PO9405 6,289,262 ART66 PP09596,315,200 ART68 PP1397 6,217,165 ART69 PP2370 09/112,781  DOT01 PP237109/113,052  DOT02 PO8003 6,350,023 Fluid01 PO8005 6,318,849 Fluid02PO9404 09/113,101  Fluid03 PO8066 6,227,652 IJ01 PO8072 6,213,588 IJ02PO8040 6,213,589 IJ03 PO8071 6,231,163 IJ04 PO8047 6,247,795 IJ05 PO80356,394,581 IJ06 PO8044 6,244,691 IJ07 PO8063 6,257,704 IJ08 PO80576,416,168 IJ09 PO8056 6,220,694 IJ10 PO8069 6,257,705 IJ11 PO80496,247,794 IJ12 PO8036 6,234,610 IJ13 PO8048 6,247,793 IJ14 PO80706,264,306 IJ15 PO8067 6,241,342 IJ16 PO8001 6,247,792 IJ17 PO80386,264,307 IJ18 PO8033 6,254,220 IJ19 PO8002 6,234,611 IJ20 PO80686,302,528 IJ21 PO8062 6,283,582 IJ22 PO8034 6,239,821 IJ23 PO80396,338,547 IJ24 PO8041 6,247,796 IJ25 PO8004 09/113,122  IJ26 PO80376,390,603 IJ27 PO8043 6,362,843 IJ28 PO8042 6,293,653 IJ29 PO80646,312,107 IJ30 PO9389 6,227,653 IJ31 PO9391 6,234,609 IJ32 PP08886,238,040 IJ33 PP0891 6,188,415 IJ34 PP0890 6,227,654 IJ35 PP08736,209,989 IJ36 PP0993 6,247,791 IJ37 PP0890 6,336,710 IJ38 PP13986,217,153 IJ39 PP2592 6,416,167 IJ40 PP2593 6,243,113 IJ41 PP39916,283,581 IJ42 PP3987 6,247,790 IJ43 PP3985 6,260,953 IJ44 PP39836,267,469 IJ45 PO7935 6,224,780 IJM01 PO7936 6,235,212 IJM02 PO79376,280,643 IJM03 PO8061 6,284,147 IJM04 PO8054 6,214,244 IJM05 PO80656,071,750 IJM06 PO8055 6,267,905 IJM07 PO8053 6,251,298 IJM08 PO80786,258,285 IJM09 PO7933 6,225,138 IJM10 PO7950 6,241,904 IJM11 PO79496,299,786 IJM12 PO8060 09/113,124  IJM13 PO8059 6,231,773 IJM14 PO80736,190,931 IJM15 PO8076 6,248,249 IJM16 PO8075 09/113,120  1JM17 PO80796,241,906 IJM18 PO8050 09/113,116  IJM19 PO8052 6,241,905 IJM20 PO794809/113,117 IJM21 PO7951 6,231,772 IJM22 PO8074 6,274,056 IJM23 PO79416,290,861 IJM24 PO8077 6,248,248 IJM25 P08058 6,306,671 IJM26 PO80516,331,258 IJM27 PO8045 6,110,754 IJM28 PO7952 6,294,101 IJM29 PO80466,416,679 IJM30 PO9390 6,264,849 IJM31 PO9392 6,254,793 IJM32 PP08896,235,211 IJM35 PP0887 6,491,833 IJM36 PP0882 6,264,850 IJM37 PP08746,258,284 IJM38 PP1396 6,312,615 IJM39 PP3989 6,228,668 IJM40 PP25916,180,427 IJM41 PP3990 6,171,875 IJM42 PP3986 6,267,904 IJM43 PP39846,245,247 IJM44 PP3982 6,315,914 IJM45 PP0895 6,231,148 IR01 PP087009/113,106  IR02 PP0869 6,293,658 IR04 PP0887 09/113,104  IR05 PP08856,238,033 IR06 PP0884 6,312,070 IR10 PP0886 6,238,111 IR12 PP087109/113,086  IR13 PP0876 09/113,094  IR14 PP0877 6,378,970 IR16 PP08786,196,739 IR17 PP0879 09/112,774  IR18 PP0883 6,270,182 IR19 PP08806,152,619 IR20 PP0881 09/113,092  IR21 PO8006 6,087,638 MEMS02 PO80076,340,222 MEMS03 PO8008 09/113,062  MEMS04 PO8010 6,041,600 MEMS05PO8011 6,299,300 MEMS06 PO7947 6,067,797 MEMS07 PO7944 6,286,935 MEMS09PO7946 6,044,646 MEMS10 PO9393 09/113,065  MEMS11 PP0875 09/113,078 MEMS12 PP0894 6,382,769 MEMS13

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0003] Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to the operation of a digitalcamera device for the production of useful effects. In particular, thepresent invention relates to the utilisation of special cards,hereinafter called “Meta-Artcards” which are adapted to be inserted intoa camera device so as to produce new and unusual effects. In particular,there is provided an Artcard for the Control of the operation of acamera device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In Australian provisional patent specification P07991 entitled“Image Processing Method and Apparatus (Art 01)” filed Jul. 15, 1997 andAustralian provisional patent specification P08505 entitled “ImageProcessing Method and Apparatus (Art 01a)” filed Aug. 11, 1997, filed bythe present applicant in addition to a number of associated applicationsfiled simultaneously therewith, there is disclosed a camera system ableto print out images on demand through the utilisation of an internalprint head and print roll having a print media film in addition to aninternal ink supply for utilisation by said camera system.

[0006] The aforementioned specifications further disclose theutilisation of a series of cards, hereinafter known as “Artcards” whichare adapted to be inserted into the camera device so as to producesignificant visual effects to any images captured utilising the cameradevice. The effects are further designed to be printed out on demandutilising the integral internal print head of the camera device.

[0007] It would be advantageous to have a system which allowed for theeffective servicing and diagnosis of faults which may occur in theaforementioned camera systems. Additionally, it would be desirable toprovide an alternative form for control of the camera which utilises theforgoing Artcard technologies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided aseries of meta cards which are adapted to uniquely control the operationof a camera device system such as that disclosed in the aforementionedpatent specifications.

[0009] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, thereis provided a digital camera system comprising an image sensor forsensing an image; storage means for storing the sensed image andassociated system structures; data input means for the insertion of animage modification data module for modification of the sensed image;processor means interconnected to the image sensor, the storage meansand the data input means for the control of the camera system inaddition to the manipulation of the sensed image; printer means forprinting out the sensed image on demand on print media supplied to theprinter means; and a method of providing a camera control data moduleadapted to cause the processor means to modify the manner in which thedigital camera system operates upon the insertion of further imagemodification data modules.

[0010] Preferably, the image modification data module comprises a cardhaving the data encoded on the surface thereof and the data encoding isin the form of printing and the data input means includes an opticalscanner for scanning a surface of the card. The modification ofoperation can include applying each image modification in turn of aseries of inserted image modification modules to the same image in acumulative manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a schematic of the operation of an Artcam system;

[0012]FIG. 2 illustrates a first example modified operation of a Artcamsystem;

[0013]FIG. 3 illustrates a repetition card which modifies the operationof that Artcam device;

[0014]FIG. 4 illustrates a Artcard test card for modification of theoperation of an Artcam device; and

[0015]FIG. 5 illustrates the output test results of an Artcam device.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS

[0016] The preferred embodiment is preferably implemented throughsuitable programming of a hand held camera device such as that describedin Australian Provisional Patent Application No. P07991 entitled “ImageProcessing Method and Apparatus (Art 01)” filed Jul. 15, 1997 with alarge number of associated applications in addition to AustralianProvisional patent Application No. PO 8505 entitled “Image ProcessingMethod and Apparatus (Art 01a)” filed Aug. 11, 1997, again with a numberof associated applications.

[0017] The aforementioned patent specification discloses a camerasystem, hereinafter known as an “Artcam” type camera, wherein sensedimages can be directly printed out by an Artcam portable camera unit.Further, the aforementioned specification discloses means and methodsfor performing various manipulations on images captured by the camerasensing device leading to the production of various effects in anyoutput image. The manipulations are disclosed to be highly flexible innature and can be implemented through the insertion into the Artcam ofcards having encoded thereon various instructions for the manipulationof images, the cards hereinafter being known as Artcards. The Artcamfurther has significant onboard processing power by an Artcam CentralProcessor unit (ACP) which is interconnected to a memory device for thestorage of important data and images.

[0018] The basics of the aforementioned Artcam arrangement are indicatedin schematic form 1 in FIG. 1. The arrangement includes a CCD sensor 2for sensing an image or scene. Additionally, an Artcard reader sensor 3is provided for sensing the reading of an Artcard 8 upon which isencoded image manipulation algorithms for manipulation for the sensedimage. Both the CCD sensor 2 and Artcard reader 3 are interconnected toan Artcard central processing unit (ACP) 4 which provides complexcomputational power for manipulation of the sensed image. Additionally,a memory unit 5 is provided for the storage of images, sensed data,programs etc. Interconnected to the ACP 4 is a print head 6 for theprinting out of final photos 7 on print media supplied from an internalprint roll.

[0019] In the preferred embodiments, a unique series of Artcards 8 areprovided for insertion into Artcard reader 3 for the unique modifiedcontrol of the Artcam central processor 4. A first example is asillustrated with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 and provides for theutilisation of multiple Artcards so as to provide overlapping ormultiplicative image effects. A suitable replicative Artcard is asillustrated 10 in FIG. 3 which contains on one surface thereofinstructions on how to operate the camera device so as to cause theeffects to be combined. The Artcard 10 contains, on the second surfacethereof, instructions for the operation of the Artcam device so as tocause the combining effect. Turning to FIG. 2, there is illustrated anexample of the operation of the repetition card so as to producecombined effects. The Artcam system will have a sensed or stored image12 of a particular scene. The first step is to insert a repetition card13 which contains a code to modify the operation of the Artcam system soas to enter a repetition mode. Next, a first Artcard 14 is inserted inthe Artcard reader which results in a first effect 15 being applied tothe image in accordance with the instructions on the Artcard 14. Next,the repetition card is again inserted 16 followed by a second Artcard 17which, produces a second effect 18 which can, for example, be theplacement of a text message on the image 18. Next, the repetition cardis again inserted 19 before a third Artcard 20 is inserted so as toprovide a further effect in the image 21. The process of FIG. 2 can beiteratively continued in accordance with requirements so as to produce adesired output image. In this way, the apparatus of the aforementionedpatent specification can be utilised with an increased flexibility forthe production of combined effects from single effect Artcards. Further,the user interface provided is simple and effective for the productionof combined effects. Of course, many modifications can be provided. Forexample, in an alternative embodiment, the repetition card may only beinserted once and then a series of Artcards is inserted subsequent tothe repetition card being inserted with the system resilient afterprintout.

[0020] Turning now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated an alternativeArtcard 30 which is provided for internal testing of the Artcam system.Each Artcam system can be provided with a number of internal testroutines which are stored in the internal ROM of the Artcam system. Thetest can be accessed by specialised function calls in the interpretivelanguage provided within the Artcam central processor. The routines canbe Artcam device specific and can, for example, include:

[0021] the printing out of test patterns to determine the operationalstate of the print head;

[0022] the printing out of test patterns which result in the operationalmanipulation of the print head (for example, printing all black) so asto clean nozzles and to set up nozzle arrangements which result inimproved operation of the print head;

[0023] test patterns can be printed for later analysis so as to show theeffectiveness of the operation of the print head;

[0024] Turning to FIG. 5, there is illustrated an example test output 35which can include various informative internal data 36 in addition tothe printing out of test patterns 37. The test patterns 37 can later beexamined by means of automated or manual methods to determine anyproblems which may exist with the camera system. The preferredembodiment can be implemented through the utilisation of hard wiredsoftware routines programmed in the Artcam device and stored in ROMmemory.

[0025] Of course, many refinements can be envisaged in that the routinescan be updated and changed from model to model and the number of testsis virtually unlimited. In this way, the operation of the camera devicecan be modified in accordance with the inserted card.

[0026] It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art thatnumerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the presentinvention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The presentembodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects to beillustrative and not restrictive.

[0027] Ink Jet Technologies

[0028] The embodiments of the invention use an ink jet printer typedevice. Of course many different devices could be used. Howeverpresently popular ink jet printing technologies are unlikely to besuitable.

[0029] The most significant problem with thermal ink jet is powerconsumption. This is approximately 100 times that required for highspeed, and stems from the energy-inefficient means of drop ejection.This involves the rapid boiling of water to produce a vapor bubble whichexpels the ink. Water has a very high heat capacity, and must besuperheated in thermal ink jet applications. This leads to an efficiencyof around 0.02%, from electricity input to drop momentum (and increasedsurface area) out.

[0030] The most significant problem with piezoelectric ink jet is sizeand cost. Piezoelectric crystals have a very small deflection atreasonable drive voltages, and therefore require a large area for eachnozzle. Also, each piezoelectric actuator must be connected to its drivecircuit on a separate substrate. This is not a significant problem atthe current limit of around 300 nozzles per print head, but is a majorimpediment to the fabrication of pagewidth print heads with 19,200nozzles.

[0031] Ideally, the ink jet technologies used meet the stringentrequirements of in-camera digital color printing and other high quality,high speed, low cost printing applications. To meet the requirements ofdigital photography, new ink jet technologies have been created. Thetarget features include:

[0032] low power (less than 10 Watts)

[0033] high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more)

[0034] photographic quality output

[0035] low manufacturing cost

[0036] small size (pagewidth times minimum cross section)

[0037] high speed (<2 seconds per page).

[0038] All of these features can be met or exceeded by the ink jetsystems described below with differing levels of difficulty. Forty-fivedifferent ink jet technologies have been developed by the Assignee togive a wide range of choices for high volume manufacture. Thesetechnologies form part of separate applications assigned to the presentAssignee as set out in the list under the heading Cross References toRelated Applications.

[0039] The ink jet designs shown here are suitable for a wide range ofdigital printing systems, from battery powered one-time use digitalcameras, through to desktop and network printers, and through tocommercial printing systems

[0040] For ease of manufacture using standard process equipment, theprint head is designed to be a monolithic 0.5 micron CMOS chip with MEMSpost processing. For color photographic applications, the print head is100 mm long, with a width which depends upon the ink jet type. Thesmallest print head designed is covered in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/112,764, which is 0.35 mm wide, giving a chip area of 35 squaremm. The print heads each contain 19,200 nozzles plus data and controlcircuitry.

[0041] Ink is supplied to the back of the print head by injection moldedplastic ink channels. The molding requires 50 micron features, which canbe created using a lithographically micromachined insert in a standardinjection molding tool. Ink flows through holes etched through the waferto the nozzle chambers fabricated on the front surface of the wafer. Theprint head is connected to the camera circuitry by tape automatedbonding.

[0042] Tables of Drop-On-Demand Ink Jets

[0043] The present invention is useful in the field of digital printing,in particular, ink jet printing. A number of patent applications in thisfield were filed simultaneously and incorporated by cross reference.

[0044] Eleven important characteristics of the fundamental operation ofindividual ink jet nozzles have been identified. These characteristicsare largely orthogonal, and so can be elucidated as an elevendimensional matrix. Most of the eleven axes of this matrix includeentries developed by the present assignee.

[0045] The following tables form the axes of an eleven dimensional tableof ink jet types.

[0046] Actuator mechanism (18 types)

[0047] Basic operation mode (7 types)

[0048] Auxiliary mechanism (8 types)

[0049] Actuator amplification or modification method (17 types)

[0050] Actuator motion (19 types)

[0051] Nozzle refill method (4 types)

[0052] Method of restricting back-flow through inlet (10 types)

[0053] Nozzle clearing method (9 types)

[0054] Nozzle plate construction (9 types)

[0055] Drop ejection direction (5 types)

[0056] Ink type (7 types)

[0057] The complete eleven dimensional table represented by these axescontains 36.9 billion possible configurations of ink jet nozzle. Whilenot all of the possible combinations result in a viable ink jettechnology, many million configurations are viable. It is clearlyimpractical to elucidate all of the possible configurations. Instead,certain ink jet types have been investigated in detail. Forty-five suchinkjet types were filed simultaneously to the present application.

[0058] Other ink jet configurations can readily be derived from theseforty-five examples by substituting alternative configurations along oneor more of the 11 axes. Most of the forty-five examples can be made intoink jet print heads with characteristics superior to any currentlyavailable ink jet technology.

[0059] Where there are prior art examples known to the inventor, one ormore of these examples are listed in the examples column of the tablesbelow. The simultaneously filed patent applications by the presentapplicant are listed by U.S. Ser. Nos. In some cases, a print technologymay be listed more than once in a table, where it shares characteristicswith more than one entry.

[0060] Suitable applications for the ink jet technologies include: Homeprinters, Office network printers, Short run digital printers,Commercial print systems, Fabric printers, Pocket printers, Internet WWWprinters, Video printers, Medical imaging, Wide format printers,Notebook PC printers, Fax machines, Industrial printing systems,Photocopiers, Photographic minilabs etc.

[0061] The information associated with the aforementioned 11 dimensionalmatrix are set out in the following tables. ACTUATOR MECHANISM (APPLIEDONLY TO SELECTED INK DROPS) Description Advantages DisadvantagesExamples Thermal An electrothermal Large force High power CanonBubblejet 1979 bubble heater heats the ink generated Ink carrier limitedEndo et al GB patent to above boiling Simple to water 2,007,162 point,transferring construction Low efficiency Xerox heater-in-pit significantheat to No moving High temperatures 1990 Hawkins et al the aqueous ink.A parts required U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181 bubble nucleates Fast operationHigh mechanical Hewlett-Packard TIJ and quickly forms, Small chip areastress 1982 Vaught et al U.S. expelling the ink. required for Unusualmaterials Pat. No. 4,490,728 The efficiency of the actuator requiredprocess is low, with Large drive typically less than transistors 0.05%of the Cavitation causes electrical energy actuator failure beingtransformed Kogation reduces into kinetic energy bubble formation of thedrop. Large print heads are difficult to fabricate Piezo- Apiezoelectric Low power Very large area Kyser et al U.S. Pat. electriccrystal such as lead consumption required for No. 3,946,398 lanthanumzirconate Many ink types actuator Zoltan U.S. Pat. No. (PZT) iselectrically can be used Difficult to 3,683,212 activated, and eitherFast operation integrate with 1973 Stemme U.S. Pat. No. expands, shears,or High efficiency electronics 3,747,120 bends to apply High voltagedrive Epson Stylus pressure to the ink, transistors Tektronix ejectingdrops. required USSN 09/112,803 Full pagewidth print heads impracticaldue to actuator size Requires electrical poling in high field strengthsduring manufacture Electro- An electric field is Low power Low maximumSeiko Epson, Usui et all strictive used to activate consumption strain(approx. JP 253401/96 electrostriction in Many ink types 0.01%) USSN09/112,803 relaxor materials can be used Large area such as lead Lowthermal required for lanthanum zirconate expansion actuator due totitanate (PLZT) or Electric field low strain lead magnesium strengthResponse speed is niobate (PMN). required marginal (˜10 μs) (approx. 3.5High voltage drive V/μm) can be transistors generated required withoutFull pagewidth difficulty print heads Does not impractical due torequire actuator size electrical poling Ferro- An electric field is Lowpower Difficult to USSN 09/112,803 electric used to induce a consumptionintegrate with phase transition Many ink types electronics between thecan be used Unusual materials antiferroelectric Fast operation such asPLZSnT (AFE) and (<1 μs) are required ferroelectric (FE) Relatively highActuators require phase. Perovskite longitudinal a large area materialssuch as tin strain modified lead High efficiency lanthanum zirconateElectric field titanate (PLZSnT) strength of exhibit large strainsaround 3 V/μm of up to 1% can be readily associated with the providedAFE to FE phase transition. Electro- Conductive plates Low powerDifficult to USSN 09/112,787; static are separated by a consumptionoperate 09/112,803 plates compressible or Many ink types electrostaticfluid dielectric can be used devices in an (usually air). Upon Fastoperation aqueous application of a environment voltage, the plates Theelectrostatic attract each other actuator will and displace ink,normally need to causing drop be separated from ejection. The the inkconductive plates Very large area may be in a comb or required tohoneycomb achieve high structure, or stacked forces to increase the Highvoltage drive surface area and transistors may be therefore the force.required Full pagewidth print heads are not competitive due to actuatorsize Electro- A strong electric Low current High voltage 1989 Saito etal, U.S. static pull field is applied to consumption required Pat. No.4,799,068 on ink the ink, whereupon Low May be damaged 1989 Miura et al,U.S. electrostatic temperature by sparks due to Pat. No. 4,810,954attraction air breakdown Tone-jet accelerates the ink Required fieldtowards the print strength increases medium. as the drop size decreasesHigh voltage drive transistors required Electrostatic field attractsdust Permanent An electromagnet Low power Complex USSN 09/113,084;magnet directly attracts a consumption fabrication 09/112,779 electro-permanent magnet, Many ink types Permanent magnetic displacing ink andcan be used magnetic material causing drop Fast operation such asejection. Rare earth High efficiency Neodymium Iron magnets with a fieldEasy extension Boron (NdFeB) strength around 1 from single required.Tesla can be used. nozzles to High local Examples are: pagewidth printcurrents required Samarium Cobalt heads Copper (SaCo) and metalizationmagnetic materials should be used for in the neodymium long iron boronfamily electromigration (NdFeB, lifetime and low NdDyFeBNb, resistivityNdDyFeB, etc) Pigmented inks are usually infeasible Operatingtemperature limited to the Curie temperature (around 540 K) Soft Asolenoid induced Low power Complex USSN 09/112,751; magnetic a magneticfield in a consumption fabrication 09/113,097; 09/113,066; core softmagnetic core Many ink types Materials not 09/112,779; 09/113,061;electro- or yoke fabricated can be used usually present in 09/112,816;09/112,772; magnetic from a ferrous Fast operation a CMOS fab such09/112,815 material such as High efficiency as NiFe, CoNiFe,electroplated iron Easy extension or CoFe are alloys such as from singlerequired CoNiFe [1], CoFe, nozzles to High local or NiFe alloys.pagewidth print currents required Typically, the soft heads Coppermagnetic material is metalization in two parts, which should be used forare normally held long apart by a spring. electromigration When thesolenoid lifetime and low is actuated, the two resistivity partsattract, Electroplating is displacing the ink. required High saturationflux density is required (2.0-2.1 T is achievable with CoNiFe [1])Lorenz The Lorenz force Low power Force acts as a USSN 09/113,099; forceacting on a current consumption twisting motion 09/113,077; 09/112,818;carrying wire in a Many ink types Typically, only a 09/112,819 magneticfield is can be used quarter of the utilized. Fast operation solenoidlength This allows the High efficiency provides force in a magneticfield to be Easy extension useful direction supplied externally fromsingle High local to the print head, for nozzles to currents requiredexample with rare pagewidth print Copper earth permanent headsmetalization magnets. should be used for Only the current long carryingwire need electromigration be fabricated on the lifetime and lowprint-head, resistivity simplifying Pigmented inks materials are usuallyrequirements. infeasible Magneto- The actuator uses Many ink types Forceacts as a Fischenbeck, U.S. striction the giant can be used twistingmotion Pat. No. 4,032,929 magnetostrictive Fast operation Unusualmaterials USSN 09/113,121 effect of materials Easy extension such asTerfenol- such as Terfenol-D from single D are required (an alloy ofterbium, nozzles to High local dysprosium and iron pagewidth printcurrents required developed at the heads Copper Naval Ordnance Highforce is metalization Laboratory, hence available should be used forTer-Fe-NOL). For long best efficiency, the electromigration actuatorshould be lifetime and low pre-stressed to resistivity approx. 8 MPa.Pre-stressing may be required Surface Ink under positive Low powerRequires Silverbrook, EP 0771 tension pressure is held in a consumptionsupplementary 658 A2 and related reduction nozzle by surface Simpleforce to effect patent applications tension. The surface constructiondrop separation tension of the ink is No unusual Requires specialreduced below the materials ink surfactants bubble threshold, requiredin Speed may be causing the ink to fabrication limited by egress fromthe High efficiency surfactant nozzle. Easy extension properties fromsingle nozzles to pagewidth print heads Viscosity The ink viscosity isSimple Requires Silverbrook, EP 0771 reduction locally reduced toconstruction supplementary 658 A2 and related select which drops Nounusual force to effect patent applications are to be ejected. Amaterials drop separation viscosity reduction required in Requiresspecial can be achieved fabrication ink viscosity electrothermally Easyextension properties with most inks, but from single High speed isspecial inks can be nozzles to difficult to achieve engineered for apagewidth print Requires 100:1 viscosity heads oscillating inkreduction. pressure A high temperature difference (typically 80 degrees)is required Acoustic An acoustic wave is Can operate Complex drive 1993Hadimioglu et al, generated and without a nozzle circuitry EUP 550,192focussed upon the plate Complex 1993 Elrod et al, EUP drop ejectionregion. fabrication 572,220 Low efficiency Poor control of drop positionPoor control of drop volume Thermo- An actuator which Low powerEfficient aqueous USSN 09/112,802; elastic relies upon consumptionoperation requires 09/112,778; 09/112,815; bend differential thermalMany ink types a thermal insulator 09/113,096; 09/113,068; actuatorexpansion upon can be used on the hot side 09/113,095; 09/112,808; Jouleheating is Simple planar Corrosion 09/112,809; 09/112,780; used.fabrication prevention can be 09/113,083; 09/112,793; Small chip areadifficult 09/112,794; 09/113,128; required for Pigmented inks09/113,127; 09/112,756; each actuator may be infeasible, 09/112,755;09/112,754; Fast operation as pigment 09/112,811; 09/112,812; Highefficiency particles may jam 09/112,813; 09/112,814; CMOS the bendactuator 09/112,764; 09/112,765; compatible 09/112,767; 09/112,768voltages and currents Standard MEMS processes can be used Easy extensionfrom single nozzles to pagewidth print heads High CTE A material with aHigh force can Requires special USSN 09/112,778; thermo- very highcoefficient be generated material (e.g. 09/112,815; 09/113,096; elasticof thermal Three methods PTFE) 09/113,095; 09/112,808; actuatorexpansion (CTE) of PTFE Requires a PTFE 09/112,809; 09/112,780; such asdeposition are deposition 09/113,083; 09/112,793;polytetrafluoroethylene under process, which is 09/112,794; 09/113,128;(PTFE) is used. development: not yet standard in 09/113,127; 09/112,756;As high CTE chemical vapor ULSI fabs 09/112,807; 09/112,806; materialsare usually deposition PTFE deposition 09/112,820 non-conductive, a(CVD), spin cannot be heater fabricated coating, and followed with froma conductive evaporation high temperature material is PTFE is a (above350° C.) incorporated. A 50 candidate for processing μm long PTFE bendlow dielectric Pigmented inks actuator with constant may be infeasible,polysilicon heater insulation in as pigment and 15 mW power ULSIparticles may jam input can provide Very low power the bend actuator 180μN force and 10 consumption μm deflection. Many ink types Actuatormotions can be used include: Simple planar Bend fabrication Push Smallchip area Buckle required for Rotate each actuator Fast operation Highefficiency CMOS compatible voltages and currents Easy extension fromsingle nozzles to pagewidth print heads Conduct- A polymer with a Highforce can Requires special USSN 09/113,083 ive high coefficient of begenerated materials polymer thermal expansion Very low power developmentthermo- (such as PTFE) is consumption (High CTE elastic doped with Manyink types conductive actuator conducting can be used polymer) substancesto Simple planar Requires a PTFE increase its fabrication depositionconductivity to Small chip area process, which is about 3 orders ofrequired for not yet standard in magnitude below each actuator ULSI fabsthat of copper. The Fast operation PTFE deposition conducting polymerHigh efficiency cannot be expands when CMOS followed with resistivelyheated. compatible high temperature Examples of voltages and (above 350°C.) conducting dopants currents processing include: Easy extensionEvaporation and Carbon nanotubes from single CVD deposition Metal fibersnozzles to techniques cannot Conductive pagewidth print be used polymerssuch as heads Pigmented inks doped may be infeasible, polythiophene aspigment Carbon granules particles may jam the bend actuator Shape Ashape memory High force is Fatigue limits USSN 09/113,122 memory alloysuch as TiNi available maximum number alloy (also known as (stresses ofof cycles Nitinol - Nickel hundreds of Low strain (1%) is Titanium alloyMPa) required to extend developed at the Large strain is fatigueresistance Naval Ordnance available (more Cycle rate limited Laboratory)is than 3%) by heat removal thermally switched High corrosion Requiresunusual between its weak resistance materials (TiNi) martensitic stateand Simple The latent heat of its high stiffness constructiontransformation austenic state. The Easy extension must be provided shapeof the actuator from single High current in its martensitic nozzles tooperation state is deformed pagewidth print Requires pre- relative tothe heads stressing to distort austenic shape. The Low voltage themartensitic shape change causes operation state ejection of a drop.Linear Linear magnetic Linear Magnetic Requires unusual USSN 09/113,061Magnetic actuators include the actuators can be semiconductor ActuatorLinear Induction constructed with materials such as Actuator (LIA), highthrust, long soft magnetic Linear Permanent travel, and high alloys(e.g. Magnet efficiency using CoNiFe) Synchronous planar Some varietiesActuator (LPMSA), semiconductor also require Linear Reluctancefabrication permanent Synchronous techniques magnetic Actuator (LRSA),Long actuator materials such as Linear Switched travel is Neodymium ironReluctance Actuator available boron (NdFeB) (LSRA), and the Medium forceis Requires complex Linear Stepper available multi-phase drive Actuator(LSA). Low voltage circuitry operation High current operation

[0062] BASIC OPERATION MODE Description Advantages DisadvantagesExamples Actuator This is the simplest Simple Drop repetition Thermalink jet directly mode of operation: operation rate is usuallyPiezoelectric ink jet pushes ink the actuator directly No externallimited to around USSN 09/112,751; supplies sufficient fields required10 kHz. 09/112,787; 09/112,802; kinetic energy to Satellite dropsHowever, this is 09/112,803; 09/113,097; expel the drop. The can beavoided not fundamental 09/113,099; 09/113,084; drop must have a if dropvelocity to the method, 09/112,778; 09/113,077; sufficient velocity tois less than 4 but is related to 09/113,061; 09/112,816; overcome them/s the refill method 09/112,819; 09/113,095; surface tension. Can beefficient, normally used 09/112,809; 09/112,780; depending upon All ofthe drop 09/113,083; 09/113,121; the actuator kinetic energy 09/113,122;09/112,793; used must be provided 09/112,794; 09/113,128; by theactuator 09/113,127; 09/112,756; Satellite drops 09/112,755; 09/112,754;usually form if 09/112,811; 09/112,812; drop velocity is 09/112,813;09/112,814; greater than 4.5 09/112,764; 09/112,765; m/s 09/112,767;09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820 Proximity The drops to beVery simple Requires close Silverbrook, EP 0771 printed are selectedprint head proximity 658 A2 and related by some manner fabrication canbetween the print patent applications (e.g. thermally be used head andthe induced surface The drop print media or tension reduction ofselection means transfer roller pressurized ink). does not need to Mayrequire two Selected drops are provide the print heads separated fromthe energy required printing alternate ink in the nozzle by to separatethe rows of the contact with the drop from the image print medium or anozzle Monolithic color transfer roller. print heads are difficultElectro- The drops to be Very simple Requires very Silverbrook, EP 0771static pull printed are selected print head high electrostatic 658 A2and related on ink by some manner fabrication can field patentapplications (e.g. thermally be used Electrostatic field Tone-Jetinduced surface The drop for small nozzle tension reduction of selectionmeans sizes is above air pressurized ink). does not need to breakdownSelected drops are provide the Electrostatic field separated from theenergy required may attract dust ink in the nozzle by to separate the astrong electric drop from the field. nozzle Magnetic The drops to beVery simple Requires Silverbrook, EP 0771 pull on ink printed areselected print head magnetic ink 658 A2 and related by some mannerfabrication can Ink colors other patent applications (e.g. thermally beused than black are induced surface The drop difficult tension reductionof selection means Requires very pressurized ink). does not need to highmagnetic Selected drops are provide the fields separated from the energyrequired ink in the nozzle by to separate the a strong magnetic dropfrom the field acting on the nozzle magnetic ink. Shutter The actuatormoves High speed Moving parts are USSN 09/112,818; a shutter to block(>50 kHz) required 09/112,815; 09/112,808 ink flow to the operation canbe Requires ink nozzle. The ink achieved due to pressure pressure ispulsed at reduced refill modulator a multiple of the time Friction andwear drop ejection Drop timing can must be frequency. be very accurateconsidered The actuator Stiction is energy can be possible very lowShuttered The actuator moves Actuators with Moving parts are USSN09/113,066; grill a shutter to block small travel can required09/112,772; 09/113,096; ink flow through a be used Requires ink09/113,068 grill to the nozzle. Actuators with pressure The shuttersmall force can modulator movement need be used Friction and wear onlybe equal to the High speed must be width of the grill (>50 kHz)considered holes. operation can be Stiction is achieved possible PulsedA pulsed magnetic Extremely low Requires an USSN 09/112,779 magneticfield attracts an ‘ink energy external pulsed pull on ink pusher’ at thedrop operation is magnetic field pusher ejection frequency. possibleRequires special An actuator controls No heat materials for both acatch, which dissipation the actuator and prevents the ink problems theink pusher pusher from moving Complex when a drop is not construction tobe ejected.

[0063] AUXILIARY MECHANISM (APPLIED TO ALL NOZZLES) DescriptionAdvantages Disadvantages Examples None The actuator directly Simplicityof Drop ejection Most ink jets, including fires the ink drop,construction energy must be piezoelectric and thermal and there is noSimplicity of supplied by bubble. external field or operation individualnozzle USSN 09/112,751; other mechanism Small physical actuator09/112,787; 09/112,802; required. size 09/112,803; 09/113,097;09/113,084; 09/113,078; 09/113,077; 09/113,061; 09/112,816; 09/113,095;09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793;09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754;09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765;09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820 OscillatingThe ink pressure Oscillating ink Requires external Silverbrook, EP 0771ink oscillates, providing pressure can ink pressure 658 A2 and relatedpressure much of the drop provide a refill oscillator patentapplications (including ejection energy. The pulse, allowing Inkpressure USSN 09/113,066; acoustic actuator selects higher operatingphase and 09/112,818; 09/112,772; stimul- which drops are to speedamplitude must 09/112,815; 09/113,096; ation) be fired by The actuatorsbe carefully 09/113,068; 09/112,808 selectively blocking may operatecontrolled or enabling nozzles. with much Acoustic The ink pressurelower energy reflections in the oscillation may be Acoustic lenses inkchamber achieved by can be used to must be designed vibrating the printfocus the sound for head, or preferably on the nozzles by an actuator inthe ink supply. Media The print head is Low power Precision Silverbrook,EP 0771 proximity placed in close High accuracy assembly 658 A2 andrelated proximity to the Simple print required patent applications printmedium. head Paper fibers may Selected drops construction cause problemsprotrude from the Cannot print on print head further rough substratesthan unselected drops, and contact the print medium. The drop soaks intothe medium fast enough to cause drop separation. Transfer Drops areprinted to High accuracy Bulky Silverbrook, EP 0771 roller a transferroller Wide range of Expensive 658 A2 and related instead of straight toprint substrates Complex patent applications the print medium. A can beused construction Tektronix hot melt transfer roller can Ink can bedried piezoelectric ink jet also be used for on the transfer Any of USSNproximity drop roller 09/112,751; 09/112,787; separation. 09/112,802;09/112,803; 09/113,097; 09/113,099; 09/113,084; 09/113,066; 09/112,778;09/112,779; 09/113,077; 09/113,061; 09/112,818; 09/112,816; 09/112,772;09/112,819; 09/112,815; 09/113,096; 09/113,068; 09/113,095; 09/112,808;09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793;09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754;09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765;09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821Electro- An electric field is Low power Field strength Silverbrook, EP0771 static used to accelerate Simple print required for 658 A2 andrelated selected drops head separation of patent applications towardsthe print construction small drops is Tone-Jet medium. near or above airbreakdown Direct A magnetic field is Low power Requires Silverbrook, EP0771 magnetic used to accelerate Simple print magnetic ink 658 A2 andrelated field selected drops of head Requires strong patent applicationsmagnetic ink construction magnetic field towards the print medium. CrossThe print head is Does not Requires external USSN 09/113,099; magneticplaced in a constant require magnet 09/112,819 field magnetic field. Themagnetic Current densities Lorenz force in a materials to be may behigh, current carrying integrated in the resulting in wire is used tomove print head electromigration the actuator. manufacturing problemsprocess Pulsed A pulsed magnetic Very low power Complex print USSN09/112,779 magnetic field is used to operation is head constructionfield cyclically attract a possible Magnetic paddle, which Small printhead materials pushes on the ink. A size required in print smallactuator head moves a catch, which selectively prevents the paddle frommoving.

[0064] ACTUATOR AMPLIFICATION OR MODIFICATION METHOD DescriptionAdvantages Disadvantages Examples None No actuator Operational Manyactuator Thermal Bubble InkJet mechanical simplicity mechanisms USSN09/112,751; amplification is have 09/112,787; 09/113,099; used. Theactuator insufficient 09/113,084; 09/112,819; directly drives thetravel, or 09/113,121; 09/113,122 drop ejection insufficient process.force, to efficiently drive the drop ejection process Differential Anactuator material Provides greater High stresses Piezoelectric expansionexpands more on travel in a are involved USSN 09/112,802; bend one sidethan on the reduced print Care must be 09/112,778; 09/112,815; actuatorother. The head area taken that the 09/113,096; 09/113,068; expansionmay be materials do not 09/113,095; 09/112,808; thermal, delaminate09/112,809; 09/112,780; piezoelectric, Residual bend 09/113,083;09/112,793; magnetostrictive, or resulting from 09/113,128; 09/113,127;other mechanism. high 09/112,756; 09/112,755; The bend actuatortemperature or 09/112,754; 09/112,811; converts a high high stress09/112,812; 09/112,813; force low travel during 09/112,814; 09/112,764;actuator mechanism formation 09/112,765; 09/112,767; to high travel,lower 09/112,768; 09/112,807; force mechanism. 09/112,806; 09/112,820Transient A trilayer bend Very good High stresses USSN 09/112,767; bendactuator where the temperature are involved 09/112,768 actuator twooutside layers stability Care must be are identical. This High speed, asa taken that the cancels bend due to new drop can be materials do notambient temperature fired before heat delaminate and residual stress.dissipates The actuator only Cancels residual responds to transientstress of heating of one side formation or the other. Reverse Theactuator loads a Better coupling Fabrication USSN 09/113,097; springspring. When the to the ink complexity 09/113,077 actuator is turnedHigh stress in off, the spring the spring releases. This can reverse theforce/distance curve of the actuator to make it compatible with theforce/time requirements of the drop ejection. Actuator A series of thinIncreased travel Increased Some piezoelectric ink stack actuators areReduced drive fabrication jets stacked. This can be voltage complexityUSSN 09/112,803 appropriate where Increased actuators requirepossibility of high electric field short circuits strength, such as dueto pinholes electrostatic and piezoelectric actuators. Multiple Multiplesmaller Increases the Actuator forces USSN 09/113,061; actuatorsactuators are used force available may not add 09/112,818; 09/113,096;simultaneously to from an actuator linearly, 09/113,095; 09/112,809;move the ink. Each Multiple reducing 09/112,794; 09/112,807; actuatorneed actuators can be efficiency 09/112,806 provide only a positioned toportion of the force control ink flow required. accurately Linear Alinear spring is Matches low Requires print USSN 09/112,772 Spring usedto transform a travel actuator head area for motion with small withhigher the spring travel and high force travel into a longer travel,requirements lower force motion. Non-contact method of motiontransformation Coiled A bend actuator is Increases travel Generally USSN09/112,815; actuator coiled to provide Reduces chip restricted to09/112,808; 09/112,811; greater travel in a area planar 09/112,812reduced chip area. Planar implementations implementations due to extremeare relatively fabrication easy to difficulty in fabricate. otherorientations. Flexure A bend actuator has Simple means Care must be USSN09/112,779; bend a small region near of increasing taken not to09/113,068; 09/112,754 actuator the fixture point, travel of a bendexceed the which flexes much actuator elastic limit in more readily thanthe flexure area the remainder of the Stress actuator. The distributionis actuator flexing is very uneven effectively Difficult to convertedfrom an accurately even coiling to an model with angular bend, finiteelement resulting in greater analysis travel of the actuator tip. CatchThe actuator Very low Complex USSN 09/112,779 controls a small actuatorenergy construction catch. The catch Very small Requires either enablesor actuator size external force disables movement Unsuitable for of anink pusher that pigmented inks is controlled in a bulk manner. GearsGears can be used to Low force, low Moving parts USSN 09/112,818increase travel at the travel actuators are required expense ofduration. can be used Several actuator Circular gears, rack Can becycles are and pinion, ratchets, fabricated using required and othergearing standard surface More complex methods can be MEMS driveelectronics used. processes Complex construction Friction, friction, andwear are possible Buckle A buckle plate can Very fast Must stay S.Hirata et al, “An Ink-jet plate be used to change a movement withinelastic Head Using Diaphragm slow actuator into a achievable limits ofthe Microactuator”, Proc. fast motion. It can materials for IEEE MEMS,Feb. 1996, also convert a high long device life pp 418-423. force, lowtravel High stresses USSN 09/113,096; actuator into a high involved09/112,793 travel, medium force Generally high motion. power requirementTapered A tapered magnetic Linearizes the Complex USSN 09/112,816magnetic pole can increase magnetic construction pole travel at theexpense force/distance of force. curve Lever A lever and fulcrum Matcheslow High stress USSN 09/112,755; is used to transform travel actuatoraround the 09/112,813; 09/112,814 a motion with small with higherfulcrum travel and high force travel into a motion with requirementslonger travel and Fulcrum area lower force. The has no linear lever canalso movement, and reverse the direction can be used for of travel. afluid seal Rotary The actuator is High Complex USSN 09/112,794 impellerconnected to a mechanical construction rotary impeller. A advantageUnsuitable for small angular The ratio of pigmented inks deflection ofthe force to travel actuator results in a of the actuator rotation ofthe can be matched impeller vanes, to the nozzle which push the inkrequirements by against stationary varying the vanes and out of thenumber of nozzle. impeller vanes Acoustic A refractive or No movingLarge area 1993 Hadimioglu et al, lens diffractive (e.g. zone partsrequired EUP 550,192 plate) acoustic lens Only relevant 1993 Elrod etal, EUP is used to for acoustic ink 572,220 concentrate sound jetswaves. Sharp A sharp point is Simple Difficult to Tone-jet conductiveused to concentrate construction fabricate using point an electrostaticfield. standard VLSI processes for a surface ejecting ink-jet Onlyrelevant for electrostatic ink jets

[0065] ACTUATOR MOTION Description Advantages Disadvantages ExamplesVolume The volume of the Simple High energy is Hewlett-Packard Thermalexpansion actuator changes, construction in typically InkJet pushing theink in the case of required to Canon Bubblejet all directions. thermalink jet achieve volume expansion. This leads to thermal stress,cavitation, and kogation in thermal ink jet implementations Linear, Theactuator moves Efficient High fabrication USSN 09/112,751; normal to ina direction normal coupling to ink complexity may 09/112,787;09/112,803; chip to the print head drops ejected be required to09/113,084; 09/113,077; surface surface. The nozzle normal to theachieve 09/112,816 is typically in the surface perpendicular line ofmovement. motion Parallel to The actuator moves Suitable for FabricationUSSN 09/113,061; chip parallel to the print planar complexity09/112,818; 09/112,772; surface head surface. Drop fabrication Friction09/112,754; 09/112,811; ejection may still be Stiction 09/112,812;09/112,813 normal to the surface. Membrane An actuator with a Theeffective Fabrication 1982 Howkins U.S. Pat. push high force but smallarea of the complexity No. 4,459,601 area is used to push actuatorActuator size a stiff membrane becomes the Difficulty of that is incontact membrane area integration in a with the ink. VLSI process RotaryThe actuator causes Rotary levers Device USSN 09/113,097; the rotationof some may be used to complexity 09/113,066; 09/112,818; element, sucha grill increase travel May have 09/112,794 or impeller Small chip areafriction at a requirements pivot point Bend The actuator bends A verysmall Requires the 1970 Kyser et al U.S. when energized. change inactuator to be Pat. No. 3,946,398 This may be due to dimensions can madefrom at 1973 Stemme U.S. Pat. differential thermal be converted to leasttwo No. 3,747,120 expansion, a large motion. distinct layers,09/112,802; 09/112,778; piezoelectric or to have a 09/112,779;09/113,068; expansion, thermal 09/112,780; 09/113,083; magnetostriction,or difference 09/113,121; 09/113,128; other form of across the09/113,127; 09/112,756; relative dimensional actuator 09/112,754;09/112,811; change. 09/112,812 Swivel The actuator swivels AllowsInefficient USSN 09/113,099 around a central operation where coupling tothe pivot. This motion is the net linear ink motion suitable where thereforce on the are opposite forces paddle is zero applied to oppositeSmall chip area sides of the paddle, requirements e.g. Lorenz force.Straighten The actuator is Can be used Requires careful USSN 09/113,122;normally bent, and with shape balance of 09/112,755 straightens whenmemory alloys stresses to energized. where the ensure that the austenicphase quiescent bend is planar is accurate Double The actuator bends Oneactuator Difficult to USSN 09/112,813; bend in one direction can be usedto make the drops 09/112,814; 09/112,764 when one element is power twoejected by both energized, and nozzles. bend directions bends the otherway Reduced chip identical. when another size. A small element is Notsensitive to efficiency loss energized. ambient compared to temperatureequivalent single bend actuators. Shear Energizing the Can increase theNot readily 1985 Fishbeck U.S. Pat. actuator causes a effective travelapplicable to No. 4,584,590 shear motion in the of piezoelectric otheractuator actuator material. actuators mechanisms Radial The actuatorRelatively easy High force 1970 Zoltan U.S. Pat. con- squeezes an ink tofabricate required No. 3,683,212 striction reservoir, forcing singlenozzles Inefficient ink from a from glass Difficult to constrictednozzle. tubing as integrate with macroscopic VLSI processes structuresCoil/ A coiled actuator Easy to Difficult to USSN 09/112,815; uncoiluncoils or coils fabricate as a fabricate for 09/112,808; 09/112,811;more tightly. The planar VLSI non-planar 09/112,812 motion of the freeprocess devices end of the actuator Small area Poor out-of- ejects theink. required, plane stiffness therefore low cost Bow The actuator bowsCan increase the Maximum USSN 09/112,819; (or buckles) in the speed oftravel travel is 09/113,096; 09/112,793 middle when Mechanicallyconstrained energized. rigid High force required Push-Pull Two actuatorsThe structure is Not readily USSN 09/113,096 control a shutter. pinnedat both suitable for ink One actuator pulls ends, so has a jets whichthe shutter, and the high out-of- directly push other pushes it. planerigidity the ink Curl A set of actuators Good fluid flow Design USSN09/113,095; inwards curl inwards to to the region complexity 09/112,807reduce the volume behind the of ink that they actuator enclose.increases efficiency Curl A set of actuators Relatively Relatively largeUSSN 09/112,806 outwards curl outwards, simple chip area pressurizingink in a construction chamber surrounding the actuators, and expellingink from a nozzle in the chamber. Iris Multiple vanes High efficiencyHigh fabrication USSN 09/112,809 enclose a volume of Small chip areacomplexity ink. These Not suitable for simultaneously pigmented inksrotate, reducing the volume between the vanes. Acoustic The actuator Theactuator Large area 1993 Hadimioglu et al, vibration vibrates at a highcan be required for EUP 550,192 frequency. physically efficient 1993Elrod et al, EUP distant from the operation at 572,220 ink usefulfrequencies Acoustic coupling and crosstalk Complex drive circuitry Poorcontrol of drop volume and position None In various ink jet No movingVarious other Silverbrook, EP 0771 658 designs the actuator partstradeoffs are A2 and related patent does not move. required toapplications eliminate Tone-jet moving parts

[0066] NOZZLE REFILL METHOD Description Advantages DisadvantagesExamples Surface This is the normal Fabrication Low speed Thermal inkjet tension way that ink jets simplicity Surface tension Piezoelectricink jet are refilled. Operational force relatively USSN-09/112,751;After the actuator simplicity small compared to 09/113,084; 09/112,779;is energized, it actuator force 09/112,816; 09/112,819; typicallyreturns Long refill time 09/113,095; 09/112,809; rapidly to its normalusually dominates 09/112,780; 09/113,083; position. This rapid the totalrepetition 09/113,121; 09/113,122; return sucks in air rate 09/112,793;09/112,794; through the nozzle 09/113,128; 09/113,127; opening. The ink09/112,756; 09/112,755; surface tension at the 09/112,754; 09/112,811;nozzle then exerts a 09/112,812; 09/112,813; small force restoring09/112,814; 09/112,764; the meniscus to a 09/112,765; 09/112,767;minimum area. This 09/112,768; 09/112,807; force refills the 09/112,806;09/112,820; nozzle. 09/112,821 Shuttered Ink to the nozzle High speedRequires common USSN 09/113,066; oscillating chamber is provided at Lowactuator ink pressure 09/112,818; 09/112,772; ink pressure a pressurethat energy, as the oscillator 09/112,815; 09/113,096; oscillates attwice actuator need only May not be 09/113,068; 09/112,808 the dropejection open or close the suitable for frequency. When a shutter,instead of pigmented inks drop is to be ejected, ejecting the ink dropthe shutter is opened for 3 half cycles: drop ejection, actuator return,and refill. The shutter is then closed to prevent the nozzle chamberemptying during the next negative pressure cycle. Refill After the mainHigh speed, as Requires two USSN 09/112,778 actuator actuator hasejected a the nozzle is independent drop a second (refill) activelyrefilled actuators per actuator is energized. nozzle The refill actuatorpushes ink into the nozzle chamber. The refill actuator returns slowly,to prevent its return from emptying the chamber again. Positive ink Theink is held a High refill rate, Surface spill Silverbrook, EP pressureslight positive therefore a high must be 0771 658 A2 and pressure. Afterdrop repetition prevented related patent the ink drop is rate ispossible Highly applications ejected, the nozzle hydrophobic Alternativefor: USSN chamber fills quickly print head 09/112,751; 09/112,787; assurface tension surfaces are 09/112,802; 09/112,803; and ink pressurerequired 09/113,097; 09/113,099; both operate to 09/113,084; 09/112,779;refill the nozzle. 09/113,077; 09/113,061; 09/112,818; 09/112,816;09/112,819; 09/113,095; 09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121;09/113,122; 09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128, 09/113,127; 09/112,756;09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814;09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806;09/112,820; 09/112,821

[0067] METHOD OF RESTRICTING BACK-FLOW THROUGH INLET DescriptionAdvantages Disadvantages Examples Long inlet The ink inlet Designsimplicity Restricts refill Thermal ink jet channel channel to theOperational rate Piezoelectric ink jet nozzle chamber simplicity Mayresult in a USSN 09/112,807; is made long and Reduces relatively large09/112,806 relatively narrow, crosstalk chip area relying on viscousOnly partially drag to reduce effective inlet back-flow. Positive inkThe ink is under a Drop selection Requires a method Silverbrook, EPpressure positive pressure, and separation (such as a nozzle 0771 658 A2and so that in the forces can be rim or effective related patentquiescent state reduced hydrophobizing, applications some of the inkFast refill time or both) to prevent Possible operation drop alreadyprotrudes flooding of the of the following: from the nozzle. ejectionsurface of USSN 09/112,751; This reduces the the print head. 09/112,787;09/112,802; pressure in the 09/112,803; 09/113,097; nozzle chamber09/113,099; 09/113,084; which is required 09/112,778; 09/112,779; toeject a certain 09/113,077; 09/113,061; volume of ink. 09/112,816;09/112,819; The reduction in 09/113,095; 09/112,809; chamber pressure09/112,780; 09/113,083; results in a reduction 09/113,121; 09/113,122;in ink pushed out 09/112,793; 09/112,794; through the inlet. 09/113,128;09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,813;09/12,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; Baffle One ormore baffles The refill rate is Design HP Thermal Ink Jet are placed inthe not as restricted complexity Tektronix inlet ink flow. as the longinlet May increase piezoelectric ink jet When the actuator method.fabrication is energized, the Reduces crosstalk complexity (e.g. rapidink movement Tektronix hot melt creates eddies which Piezoelectricrestrict the flow print heads). through the inlet. The slower refillprocess is unrestricted, and does not result in eddies. Flexible flap Inthis method recently Significantly Not applicable to Canon restrictsdisclosed by Canon, reduces back-flow most ink jet inlet the expandingactuator for edge-shooter configurations (bubble) pushes on a thermalink jet Increased flexible flap that devices fabrication restricts theinlet. complexity Inelastic deformation of polymer flap results in creepover extended use Inlet Filter A filter is located Additional Restrictsrefill rate USSN 09/112,803; between the ink inlet advantage of Mayresult in complex 09/113,061; 09/113,083; and the nozzle ink filtrationconstruction 09/112,793; 09/113,128; chamber. The filter Ink filter maybe 09/113,127 has a multitude of fabricated with no small holes orslots, additional process restricting ink flow. steps The filter alsoremoves particles which may block the nozzle. Small inlet The ink inletchannel Design simplicity Restricts refill rate USSN 09/112,787;compared to the nozzle chamber May result in a 09/112,814; 09/112,820 tonozzle has a substantially relatively large smaller cross section chiparea than that of the Only partially nozzle, resulting effective ineasier ink egress out of the nozzle than out of the inlet. Inlet shutterA secondary actuator Increases speed Requires separate USSN 09/112,778controls the position of the ink-jet refill actuator and of a shutter,closing print head drive circuit off the ink inlet when operation themain actuator is energized. The inlet is The method avoids the Back-flowRequires careful USSN 09/112,751; located problem of inlet back- problemis design to minimize 09/112,802; 09/113,097; behind the flow byarranging eliminated the negative 09/113,099; 09/113,084; ink-pushingthe ink-pushing pressure behind 09/112,779; 09/113,077; surface surfaceof the the paddle 09/112,816; 09/112,819; actuator between 09/112,809;09/112,780; the inlet and the 09/113,121; 09/112,794; nozzle.09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813;09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768 Part of the The actuator and aSignificant Small increase USSN 09/113,084; actuator wall of the inkreductions in in fabrication 09/113,095; 09/113,122; moves to chamberare arranged back-flow can complexity 09/112,764 shut off so that themotion of be achieved the inlet the actuator closes Compact designs offthe inlet. possible Nozzle In some configurations Ink back-flow Nonerelated to Silverbrook, EP actuator of ink jet, there is problem is inkback-flow 0771 658 A2 and does not no expansion or eliminated onactuation related patent result in ink movement of an applicationsback-flow actuator which may Valve-jet cause ink back-flow Tone-jetthrough the inlet.

[0068] NOZZLE CLEARING METHOD Description Advantages DisadvantagesExamples Normal All of the nozzles are No added May not be Most ink jetnozzle firing fired periodically, complexity on sufficient to systemsbefore the ink has a the print head displace dried USSN 09/112,751;chance to dry. When ink 09/112,787; 09/112,802; not in use the nozzles09/112,803; 09/113,097; are sealed (capped) 09/113,099; 09/113,084;against air. 09/112,778; 09/112,779; The nozzle firing is 09/113,077;09/113,061; usually performed 09/112,816; 09/112,819; during a special09/113,095; 09/112,809; clearing cycle, after 09/112,780; 09/113,083;first moving the print 09/113,121; 09/113,122; head to a cleaning09/112,793; 09/112,794; station. 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756;09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764;09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820;09/112,821 Extra power In systems which heat Can be highly Requireshigher Silverbrook, EP to ink heater the ink, but do not effective ifthe drive voltage 0771 658 A2 and boil it under normal heater isadjacent for clearing related patent situations, nozzle to the nozzleMay require applications clearing can be larger drive achieved by over-transistors powering the heater and boiling ink at the nozzle. Rapid Theactuator is fired Does not require Effectiveness May be used with:succession in rapid succession. extra drive circuits dependssubstantially USSN 09/112,751; of actuator In some configurations, onthe print head upon the configuration 09/112,787; 09/112,802; pulsesthis may cause heat Can be readily of the ink jet nozzle 09/112,803;09/113,097; build-up at the nozzle controlled and 09/113,099;09/113,084; which boils the ink, initiated by 09/112,778; 09/112,779;clearing the nozzle. In digital logic 09/113,077; 09/112,816; othersituations, it 09/112,819; 09/113,095; may cause sufficient 09/112,809;09/112,780; vibrations to dislodge 09/113,083; 09/113,121; cloggednozzles. 09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756;09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764;09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820;09/112,821 Extra Where an actuator is A simple solution Not suitablewhere May be used with: USSN power to not normally driven to whereapplicable there is a hard limit 09/112,802; 09/112,778; ink pushing thelimit of its motion, to actuator movement 09/112,819; 09/113,095;actuator nozzle clearing may be 09/112,780; 09/113,083; assisted byproviding 09/113,121; 09/112,793; an enhanced drive 09/113,128;09/113,127; signal to the actuator. 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,765;09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821Acoustic An ultrasonic wave is A high nozzle High implementation USSN09/113,066; resonance applied to the ink clearing capability cost ifsystem 09/112,818; 09/112,772; chamber. This wave can be achieved doesnot already 09/112,815; 09/113,096; is of an appropriate May beimplemented include an acoustic 09/113,068; 09/112,808 amplitude and atvery low cost in actuator frequency to cause systems which alreadysufficient force at the include acoustic nozzle to clear actuatorsblockages. This is easiest to achieve if the ultrasonic wave is at aresonant frequency of the ink cavity. Nozzle A microfabricated Can clearseverely Accurate mechanical Silverbrook, EP clearing plate is pushedclogged nozzles alignment is required 0771 658 A2 and plate against thenozzles. Moving parts are related patent The plate has a post requiredapplications for every nozzle. There is risk of A post moves throughdamage to the each nozzle, displacing nozzles dried ink. Accuratefabrication is required Ink The pressure of the May be effectiveRequires pressure May be used with pressure ink is temporarily whereother pump or other ink jets covered by pulse increased so that inkmethods cannot be pressure actuator USSN 09/112,751; streams from all ofused Expensive 09/112,787; 09/112,802; the nozzles. This Wasteful of ink09/112,803; 09/113,097; may be used in 09/113,099; 09/113,084;conjunction with 09/113,066; 09/112,778; actuator energizing.09/112,779; 09/113,077; 09/113,061; 09/112,818; 09/112,816; 09/112,772;09/112,819; 09/112,815; 09/113,096; 09/113,068; 09/113,095; 09/112,808;09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793;09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754;09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765;09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821Print head A flexible ‘blade’ is Effective for Difficult to use Many inkjet systems wiper wiped across the print planar print if print headsurface head surface. The head surfaces is non-planar or blade isusually Low cost very fragile fabricated from a Requires mechanicalflexible polymer, e.g. parts rubber or synthetic Blade can wearelastomer. out in high volume print systems Separate A separate heateris Can be effective Fabrication Can be used with many ink boilingprovided at the nozzle where other nozzle complexity ink jets covered byUSSN heater although the normal clearing methods 09/112,751; 09/112,787;drop e-ection mechanism cannot be used 09/112,802; 09/112,803; does notrequire it. The Can be implemented 09/113,097; 09/113,099; heaters donot require at no additional cost 09/113,084; 09/113,066; individualdrive in some inkjet 09/112,778; 09/112,779; circuits, as manyconfigurations 09/113,077; 09/113,061; nozzles can be cleared09/112,818; 09/112,816; simultaneously, and no 09/112,772; 09/112,819;imaging is required. 09/112,815; 09/113,096; 09/113,068; 09/113,095;09/112,808; 09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122;09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755;09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764;09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820;09/112,821

[0069] NOZZLE PLATE CONSTRUCTION Description Advantages DisadvantagesExamples Electro- A nozzle plate is Fabrication High temperaturesHewlett Packard formed separately fabricated simplicity and pressuresare Thermal Ink jet nickel from electroformed required to bond nickel,and bonded to nozzle plate the print head chip. Minimum thicknessconstraints Differential thermal expansion Laser Individual nozzle Nomasks required Each hole must Canon Bubblejet ablated or holes areablated by Can be quite fast be individually 1988 Sercel et drilled anintense UV laser Some control formed al., SPIE, Vol. 998 polymer in anozzle plate, over nozzle profile Special equipment Excimer Beam whichis typically a is possible required Applications, pp. polymer such asEquipment required Slow where there 76-83 polyimide or is relatively lowcost are many thousands 1993 Watanabe polysulphone of nozzles per etal., U.S. Pat. No. print head 5,208,604 May produce thin burrs at exitholes Silicon A separate nozzle High accuracy is Two part K. Bean, IEEEmicro- plate is micromachined attainable construction Transactions onmachined from single crystal High cost Electron Devices, silicon, andbonded to Requires Vol. ED-25, No. 10, the print head wafer. precisionalignment 1978, pp 1185-1195 Nozzles may be Xerox 1990 clogged byadhesive Hawkins et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181 Glass Fine glasscapillaries No expensive Very small 1970 Zoltan capillaries are drawnfrom glass equipment required nozzle sizes are U.S. Pat. No. tubing.This method Simple to make difficult to form 3,683,212 has been used forsingle nozzles Not suited for making individual mass production nozzles,but is difficult to use for bulk manufacturing of print heads withthousands of nozzles. Monolithic, The nozzle plate is High accuracyRequires sacrificial Silverbrook, EP surface deposited as a layer (<1μm) layer under the 0771 658 A2 and micro- using standard VLSIMonolithic nozzle plate to related patent machined depositiontechniques. Low cost form the nozzle applications using VLSI Nozzles areetched in Existing chamber USSN 09/112,751; litho- the nozzle plateusing processes can Surface may be 09/112,787; 09/112,803; graphic VLSIlithography be used fragile to the 09/113,077; 09/113,061; processes andetching. touch 09/112,815; 09/113,096; 09/113,095; 09/112,809;09/113,083; 09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756;09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764;09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820Monolithic, The nozzle plate is a High accuracy Requires long USSN09/112,802; etched buried etch stop in (<1 μm) etch times 09/113,097;09/113,099; through the wafer. Nozzle Monolithic Requires a support09/113,084; 09/113,066; substrate chambers are etched in Low cost wafer09/112,778; 09/112,779; the front of the wafer, No differential09/112,818; 09/112,816; and the wafer is expansion 09/112,772;09/112,819; thinned from the back 09/113,068; 09/112,808; side. Nozzlesare then 09/112,780; 09/113,121; etched in the etch 09/113,122 stoplayer. No nozzle Various methods have No nozzles to Difficult to controlRicoh 1995 Sekiya et al plate been tried to eliminate become cloggeddrop position U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,413 the nozzles entirely, accurately1993 Hadimioglu to prevent nozzle Crosstalk problems et al EUP 550,192clogging. These 1993 Elrod et al include thermal bubble EUP 572,220mechanisms and acoustic lens mechanisms Trough Each drop ejector hasReduced Drop firing USSN 09/112,812 a trough through manufacturingdirection is which a paddle moves. complexity sensitive There is nonozzle Monolithic to wicking. plate. Nozzle slit The elimination of Nonozzles to Difficult to control 1989 Saito et al instead of nozzle holesand become clogged drop position U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,068 individualreplacement by a slit accurately nozzles encompassing many Crosstalkproblems actuator positions reduces nozzle clogging, but increasescrosstalk due to ink surface waves

[0070] DROP EJECTION DIRECTION Description Advantages DisadvantagesExamples Edge Ink flow is along Simple construction Nozzles limitedCanon Bubblejet (‘edge the surface of the No silicon etching to edge1979 Endo et al GB shooter’) chip, and ink drops required Highresolution patent 2,007,162 are ejected from the Good heat sinking isdifficult Xerox heater-in-pit chip edge. via substrate Fast color 1990Hawkins et al Mechanically strong printing requires U.S. Pat. No.4,899,181 Ease of chip handing one print head Tone-jet per color SurfaceInk flow is along the No bulk silicon Maximum ink flow Hewlett-Packard(‘roof surface of the chip, etching required is severely TIJ 1982 Vaughtet al shooter’) and ink drops are Silicon can make restricted U.S. Pat.No. 4,490,728 ejected from the chip an effective heat USSN09/112,787,surface, normal to the sink 09/113,077; 09/113,061; plane of the chip.Mechanical strength 09/113,095; 09/112,809 Through Ink flow is throughHigh ink flow Requires bulk Silverbrook, EP chip, the chip, and inkSuitable for silicon etching 0771 658 A2 and forward drops are ejectedpagewidth print related patent (‘up from the front heads applicationsshooter’) surface of the chip. High nozzle USSN 09/112,803; packingdensity 09/112,815; 09/113,096; therefore low 09/113,083; 09/112,793;manufacturing cost 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756;09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814;09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806;09/112,820; 09/112,821 Through Ink flow is through High ink flowRequires wafer USSN 09/112,751; chip, the chip, and ink Suitable forthinning 09/112,802; 09/113,097; reverse drops are ejected pagewidthprint Requires special 09/113,099; 09/113,084; (‘down from the rearheads handling during 09/113,066; 09/112,778; shooter’) surface of thechip. High nozzle manufacture 09/112,779; 09/112,8 18; packing density09/112,816; 09/112,772; therefore low 09/112,819; 09/113,068;manufacturing cost 09/112,808; 09/112,780; 09/113,121; 09/113,122Through Ink flow is through Suitable for Pagewidth print Epson Stylusactuator the actuator, which piezoelectric heads require Tektronix hotmelt is not fabricated as print heads several thousand piezoelectric inkjets part of the same connections to substrate as the drive circuitsdrive transistors. Cannot be manufactured in standard CMOS fabs Complexassembly required

[0071] INK TYPE 0470 Description Advantages Disadvantages ExamplesAqueous, Water based ink Environmentally Slow drying Most existing inkjets dye which typically friendly Corrosive USSN 09/112,751; contains:water, No odor Bleeds on paper 09/112,787; 09/112,802; dye, surfactant,May strikethrough 09/112,803; 09/113,097; humectant, and Cockles paper09/113,099; 09/113,084; biocide. 09/113,066; 09/112,778; Modern ink dyeshave 09/112,779; 09/113,077; high water-fastness, 09/113,061;09/112,818; light fastness 09/112,816; 09/112,772; 09/112,819;09/112,815; 09/113,096; 09/113,068; 09/113,095; 09/112,808; 09/112,809;09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793; 09/112,794;09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811;09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767;09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821 Silverbrook,EP 0771 658 A2 and related patent applications Aqueous, Water based inkEnvironmentally Slow drying USSN 09/112,787; pigment which typicallyfriendly Corrosive 09/112,803; 09/112,808; contains: water, No odorPigment may clog 09/113,122; 09/112,793; pigment, surfactant, Reducedbleed nozzles 09/113,127 humectant, and Reduced wicking Pigment may clogSilverbrook, EP 0771 biocide. Reduced actuator mechanisms 658 A2 andrelated patent Pigments have an strikethrough Cockles paper applicationsadvantage in reduced Piezoelectric ink-jets bleed, wicking and Thermalink jets strikethrough. (with significant restrictions) Methyl MEK is ahighly Very fast drying Odorous USSN 09/112,751; Ethyl volatile solventused Prints on various Flammable 09/112,787; 09/112,802; Ketone forindustrial substrates such as 09/112,803; 09/113,097; (MEK) printing ondiffi- metals and plastics 09/113,099; 09/113,084; cult surfaces such09/113,066; 09/112,778; as aluminum cans. 09/112,779; 09/113,077;09/113,061; 09/112,818; 09/112,816; 09/112,772; 09/112,819; 09/112,815;09/113,096; 09/113,068; 09/113,095; 09/112,808; 09/112,809; 09/112,780;09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128;09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812;09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768;09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821 Alcohol Alcohol basedinks Fast drying Slight odor USSN 09/112,751; (ethanol, 2- can be usedwhere Operates at sub- Flammable 09/112,787; 09/112,802; butanol, theprinter must freezing 09/112,803; 09/113,097; and others) operate attemperatures temperatures 09/113,099; 09/113,084; below the freezingReduced paper 09/113,066; 09/112,778; point of water. An cockle09/112,779; 09/113,077; example of this Low cost 09/113,061; 09/112,818;is in-camera 09/112,816; 09/112,772; consumer photo- 09/112,819;09/112,815; graphic printing. 09/113,096; 09/113,068; 09/113,095;09/112,808; 09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122;09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755;09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764;09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820;09/112,821 Phase The ink is solid at No drying time- High viscosityTektronix hot melt change room temperature, and ink instantly Printedink piezoelectric ink jets (hot melt) is melted in the print freezes onthe typically has a 1989 Nowak head before jetting. print medium ‘waxy’feel U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,346 Hot melt inks are Almost any print Printedpages USSN 09/112,751; usually wax based, medium can be used may ‘block’09/112,787; 09/112,802; with a melting point No paper cockle Inktemperature 09/112,803; 09/113,097; around 80° C. After occurs may beabove the 09/113,099; 09/113,084; jetting the ink freezes No wickingcurie point of 09/113,066; 09/112,778; almost instantly upon occurspermanent magnets 09/112,779; 09/113,077; contacting the print No bleedoccurs Ink heaters consume 09/113,061; 09/112,818; medium or a transferNo strikethrough power 09/112,816; 09/112,772; roller. occurs Longwarm-up time 09/112,819; 09/112,815; 09/113,096; 09/113,068; 09/113,095;09/112,808; 09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122;09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755;09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764;09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820;09/112,821 Oil Oil based inks are High solubility High viscosity: USSN09/112,751; extensively used in medium for some this is a signi-09/112,787; 09/112,802; offset printing. dyes ficant limitation09/112,803; 09/113,097; They have advantages Does not cockle for use ininkjets, 09/113,099; 09/113,084; in improved paper which usually require09/113,066; 09/112,778; characteristics on Does not wick a lowviscosity. Some 09/112,779; 09/113,077; paper (especially through papershort chain and 09/113,061; 09/112,818; no wicking or cockle).multi-branched oils 09/112,816; 09/112,772; Oil soluble dies and have asufficiently 09/112,819; 09/112,815; pigments are required. lowviscosity. 09/113,096; 09/113,068; Slow drying 09/113,095; 09/112,808;09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793;09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754;09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765;09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821Micro- A microemulsion is a Stops ink bleed Viscosity higher USSN09/112,751; emulsion stable, self forming High dye than water09/112,787; 09/112,802; emulsion of oil, water, solubility Cost isslightly 09/112,803; 09/113,097; and surfactant. The Water, oil, andhigher than water 09/113,099; 09/113,084; characteristic dropamphiphilic based ink 09/113,066; 09/112,778; size is less than solubledies High surfactant 09/112,779; 09/113,077; 100 nm, and is can be usedconcentration 09/113,061; 09/112,818; determined by the Can stabilizerequired (around 09/112,816; 09/112,772; preferred curvature pigment 5%)09/112,819; 09/112,815; of the surfactant. suspensions 09/113,096;09/113,068; 09/113,095; 09/112,808; 09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083;09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127;09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813;09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807;09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821

1. A camera control print medium adapted for use with: (a) a digitalcamera comprising a print media reader, an image sensor adapted tocapture an original image, and a controllable image manipulator adaptedto manipulate the original image to form a manipulated image; and (b) atleast one image manipulation print medium comprising a surface having atleast one encoded image manipulation instruction disposed therein orthereon; the camera control print medium comprising a surface having atleast one encoded camera control instruction disposed therein orthereon, the camera control instruction being adapted: (a) to bereadable by said print media reader; and (b) when so read, to cause thecontrollable image manipulator to perform at least one operation inrelation to the at least one image manipulation print medium, when theat least one image manipulation print medium is subsequently read by theprint media reader.
 2. The camera control print medium of claim 1wherein the at least one operation in relation to the at least one imagemanipulation print medium comprises manipulating, more than once, theoriginal image, in accordance with the at least one encoded imagemanipulation instruction, to form the manipulated image.
 3. The cameracontrol print medium of claim 1 wherein the at least one operation inrelation to the at least one image manipulation print medium comprisesmanipulating, more than once, a previously manipulated image, inaccordance with the at least one encoded image manipulation instruction,to form the manipulated image.
 4. The camera control print medium ofclaim 1 wherein the at least one operation in relation to the at leastone image manipulation print medium comprises manipulating a previouslymanipulated image, in accordance with the at least one encoded imagemanipulation instruction, to form the manipulated image.
 5. The cameracontrol print medium of claim 1 wherein the at least one imagemanipulation print medium comprises: a first image manipulation printmedium having a first encoded image manipulation instruction disposed inor on its surface, and a second image manipulation print medium having asecond encoded image manipulation instruction disposed in or on itssurface, and wherein the at least one operation in relation to the atleast one image manipulation print medium comprises: manipulating theoriginal image in accordance with the first encoded image manipulationinstruction to form an intermediate manipulated image and thenmanipulating the intermediate manipulated image in accordance with thesecond encoded image manipulation instruction to form the manipulatedimage.
 6. The camera control print medium of claim 1 wherein the atleast one image manipulation print medium comprises: a first imagemanipulation print medium having a first encoded image manipulationinstruction disposed in or on its surface, and a second imagemanipulation print medium having a second encoded image manipulationinstruction disposed in or on its surface, and wherein the at least oneoperation in relation to the at least one image manipulation printmedium comprises: manipulating a previously manipulated image inaccordance with the first encoded image manipulation instruction to forman intermediate manipulated image and then manipulating the intermediatemanipulated image in accordance with the second encoded imagemanipulation instruction to form the manipulated image.
 7. The cameracontrol print medium of claim 1 wherein the at least one encoded cameracontrol instruction is encoded in two dimensions on the surface of thecamera control print medium.
 8. The camera control print medium of claim1 wherein the at least one encoded camera control instruction is printedon the surface of the camera control print medium.
 9. The camera controlprint medium of claim 8 wherein the at least one encoded camera controlinstruction is printed on the surface of the camera control print mediumin the form of a plurality of dots.
 10. The camera control print mediumof claim 1 in the form of a card.
 11. The camera control print medium ofclaim 10 in the form of a repetition card.